Quotes of the day

posted at 8:01 pm on March 10, 2013 by Allahpundit

President Barack Obama hopes to spark a pitchfork revolt against Republicans over sequester-induced budget cuts — but many Democrats fret that he’s undermined that effort with an early strategy marred by hype, poor planning and muddled messaging…

“I think they probably went over the top in terms of saying that the consequences were going to be horrible, especially because it’s happened and the lines in the airports aren’t long, the world hasn’t changed overnight,” says former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, an on-again, off-again Obama critic who supports the broad outlines of Obama’s $4 trillion “grand bargain” proposal…

One top Democratic Congressional aide offered this bit of advice to Obama: “Don’t accentuate a fight you don’t intend to wage [and] can’t win. … They spent two weeks building up sequester as a horror show and then got fact-checked a dozen times and were forced to back off their own claims of it being a disaster once they were forced to acquiesce to the cuts happening.”

***

For Republicans, the clearest indication that they had won this latest round in the ongoing budget fight was Obama’s acknowledgment that he would sign a continuing resolution to fund the government (the current one expires at the end of March) that included the lower spending levels under sequestration, in addition to the spending caps already in place under the Budget Control Act of 2011. In other words, that he would not risk a government shutdown in an effort to undo the automatic cuts…

“The problem was, on day one when Obama started talking about how bad the sequester was, nobody was disagreeing with him,” a senior House Republican aide says. “We always agreed that there would be programs that were unnecessarily going to be impacted by this. The only way for them to gain ground was to go over the top, and they just boxed themselves into a corner of hysterics, claiming the world was going to end, and then it didn’t.”…

“If we’re going to solve these problems, it’s going to have to be done on a bipartisan basis,” said [Sen. Ron] Johnson on ABC’s “This Week.” “I think most Republicans are more than willing to work with this president.”…

“I got a call from his chief of staff over the weekend to talk about, you know what we need to do in terms of developing the process,” said Johnson. “So, you know we’ll — I’ll certainly give the president the benefit of the doubt.”…

“If you’re taking a look at, in an entitlement reform package… you know actually bringing in revenue for those entitlement reforms, I might look at that,” he said. But Johnson cautioned that the high taxes were already battering the economy.

***

“This is the first time I’ve ever had a conversation with the president lasting more than, say, two minutes or televised exchanges,” Mr. Ryan, Wisconsin Republican and chairman of the House Budget Committee, said on “Fox News Sunday.” “So I’ve never really had a conversation with him on these issues before. I’m excited that we had this conversation — we had a very frank exchange. We come from different perspectives; I ran against him in the last election. So we exchanged very different frank, candid views with one another that were very different. But at least we had this conversation.”…

“Will he resume the campaign mode, will he resume attacking Republicans and impugning our motives, will he resume what is long believed to be a plan to win the 2014 elections, or will he sincerely change and try and find common ground, try and work with Republicans to get something done?” Mr. Ryan said. “That’s what we hope happens.”

***

Senator No. 2: “At the end [of Obama’s dinner with Republicans] I mentioned, ‘Share [with us] how you see this going forward.’ ” Here the president “got hazy. . . . I told him this will never work without adult supervision from the White House. I don’t think he comprehends that this is part of getting something done.”…

When the senator had met with the president in the past, during debt talks, “it was a lecture, it was preachy.” But at the dinner the president showed “reach out.

Here’s another possibility: The White House screwed up the sequester fight, the president’s approval ratings are dropping, heretofore-friendly reporters are criticizing his failure to lead, and, while Obama remains relatively unconcerned about debt and deficits, he recognizes the political utility of reaching out to Republicans now in order to demonize them once again in the months leading up to the 2014 midterm elections. In short, it’s a setup…

The White House recognizes that the fight over the sequester is about much more than the immediate reduction in the growth of federal spending. In some respects, it’s about the central rationale of the Obama presidency—that government is a force for good in the lives of Americans, not just necessary but constructive and even benevolent. Think back to the Obama campaign’s “Julia,” a fictional single woman who was aided by a caring and compassionate government at every stage of her life. The president’s argument over the past two months is that the government is so important it cannot be trimmed even a little. On the contrary, from universal pre-K to more green energy to new medical research, it ought to be doing things tomorrow that it’s not doing today.

So it’s fair to ask: Why should Republicans trust a man whose second Inaugural Address was a clarion call to greater government activism, whose State of the Union the New York Times described as a case for “closing out the politics of austerity,” who has previously demonstrated bad faith by fighting even modest reductions in spending growth, and whose second-term strategy so far has depended on casting Republicans as villains?

As Democrats and Republicans, we may disagree on the best way to achieve our goals, but I’m confident we can agree on what those goals should be. A strong and vibrant middle class. An economy that allows businesses to grow and thrive. An education system that gives more Americans the skills they need to compete for the jobs of the future. An immigration system that actually works for families and businesses. Stronger communities and safer streets for our children.

Making progress on these issues won’t be easy. In the months ahead, there will be more contentious debate and honest disagreement between principled people who want what’s best for this country. But I still believe that compromise is possible. I still believe we can come together to do big things. And I know there are leaders on the other side who share that belief.

Blowback

Trackbacks/Pings

Comments

Just stop it Will, Allahpundit is doing no such thing. Allahpundt is a pragmatic contrarian whose job is to provoke discussion and drive traffic to Hot Air. Do not get this phucked up, as intelligent as you may be, Allahpundit is smarter.

No damage per say, just somewhere in the range of twerp, not Asperger’s syndrome, I don’t think, just really high IQ and difficulties relating to us mere moral human being on a social interaction level. Not a bad guy or troll or anything, just, ummm, socially awkward.

President Barack Obama hopes to spark a pitchfork revolt against Republicans over sequester-induced budget cuts — but many Democrats fret that he’s undermined that effort with an early strategy marred by hype, poor planning and muddled messaging…

From the furloughs and cuts that are affecting those who work versus those who sit on a couch all day, they know exactly who they want to pitchfork. And, it’s not the republicans.

When the senator had met with the president in the past, during debt talks, “it was a lecture, it was preachy.” But at the dinner the president showed “reach out. around.

I use the same 0 for every series. I like the look of him, disinterested unengaged, snotty looking. He’s done nothing. I like that shot also because where ever I put him his eyes are still on you. The red tie signifies who will ultimately get the blame for all his nothings. Have you had a chance to look at the other six series? I will link them for you if you have not. ; )

Obama reaching out to high-ranking Republicans for GOP meal to encourage bipartisanship (but Boehner’s not invited)

Obama to hold dinner hosting mostly GOP senators tonight at hotel near the White House
However, dinner could be cancelled because of weather
Change in strategy by administration to charm opposition rather than pressure them over key issues like gun control and climate change

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) says President Barack Obama’s recent outreach to Republicans was genuine — but that old wounds between the president and the GOP were still healing.

Senator Coburn, look again, 0bama does not want to ‘heal’ anything, give him a few days and he will be right back to blaming the GOP for all HIS problems. Don’t be a fool Senator. Don’t be misled by your having had a nice ‘din dins’ he doesn’t mean a word he says. He had all of you there for a ‘fishing expedition, now he knows all your weaknesses, and he will go in for the ‘kill’!

He doesn’t get it, and neither do you, you will be ‘had’ by him once again Senator. He is a liar.

“But you’ve got a lot scabs and sores on people that’s going to take a while for that to heal,” Coburn told host David Gregory.

0bama is hunting for ways to stick it to you, open your eyes Senator!

Senate still has deep cross-partisan relationship, Coburn said, and can get work done.

Oh yeah, sure, all the GOPe will no doubt rally around 0 to try and make things easy for him. I hope YOU Senator, won’t fall for his lies.

“The Senate’s not nearly as dysfunctional as it’s made out to be,” Coburn said. “Our problem in the Senate is the leadership in the Senate, not the members in the Senate.”

I agree with the piss poor leadership, but I blame 0bama for every bit of it. A leader he is not.

So Senator, do your job and DO NOT cave to the games the president likes to play. Do not believe his lies… He wants the GOP to cave to his every whim. Get a backbone and stand up for Oklahoma and the US!

Anything and everything that the Fifth Column Treasonous Media suspect might damage their quest to bring us into their Marxist Utopia. I hope and pray that I live to see the day when those in the Fifth Column Treasonous Media are found hanging from the Streetlamps lining Pennsylvania Ave, with fine American made Stout Hemp Rope neckties.

Good for all the stuff I help fund.
Gov loves sin-$$$$$$$$ to be made and dished out.
Sin and crime create jobs and finance tons of things.

bazil9 on March 10, 2013 at 10:20 PM

Oh silly silly B9…

The parable of the broken window was introduced by Frédéric Bastiat in his 1850 essay Ce qu’on voit et ce qu’on ne voit pas (That Which Is Seen and That Which Is Unseen) to illustrate why destruction, and the money spent to recover from destruction, is actually not a net-benefit to society. The parable, also known as the broken window fallacy or glazier’s fallacy, demonstrates how opportunity costs, as well as the law of unintended consequences, affect economic activity in ways that are “unseen” or ignored.

The ruling class circling the wagons, increasingly reliant on the printing presses, (real and virtual), and police state to control of the people.

FloatingRock on March 10, 2013 at 10:14 PM

I’ve long held the opinion that the GOP/conservatives are stupid to go on these shows. The GOP/conservative message is not going to be heard through discussions with David Gregrory (whose mini-moochers attend the same school as the President’s) or a tiny former Clinton spokesman.

Senate still has deep cross-partisan relationship, Coburn said, and can get work done.

Oh yeah, sure, all the GOPe will no doubt rally around 0 to try and make things easy for him. I hope YOU Senator, won’t fall for his lies.

See, this is what scares those of us who still want a Constitutional Republic and don’t want a nanny-state government taking care of all details of our lives. Coburn’s statement is frightening in its scope.

“The Senate’s not nearly as dysfunctional as it’s made out to be,” Coburn said. “Our problem in the Senate is the leadership in the Senate, not the members in the Senate.”

I agree with the piss poor leadership, but I blame 0bama for every bit of it. A leader he is not.

So Senator, do your job and DO NOT cave to the games the president likes to play. Do not believe his lies… He wants the GOP to cave to his every whim. Get a backbone and stand up for Oklahoma and the US!

Scrumpy on March 10, 2013 at 10:17 PM

Well spoken Scrumpy. Heaven save us from the GOP leadership and those GOP in the Senate who want to “get things done”. Because when they talk about “get things done”, it usually means caving to democrat demands with the promise to discuss GOP concerns “at a future date”. … and you can hear the GOP leadership clicking their heels and shouting, “Yea! They are going to discuss our concerns! Sometime! In the future! Yippee!”

lol Can. I am actually pretty boring and tame now a days.
A cig and a few beers now and then..is my wild side. :)
Was being factious.
Although, if people quit drinking and smoking cigs (and dope) tomorrow all at once..IT would turn shite upside down.
Would love to see it!

The ruling class circling the wagons, increasingly reliant on the printing presses, (real and virtual), and police state to control of the people.

FloatingRock on March 10, 2013 at 10:14 PM

I’ve long held the opinion that the GOP/conservatives are stupid to go on these shows. The GOP/conservative message is not going to be heard through discussions with David Gregrory (whose mini-moochers attend the same school as the President’s) or a tiny former Clinton spokesman.

lol Can. I am actually pretty boring and tame now a days.
A cig and a few beers now and then..is my wild side. :)
Was being factious.
Although, if people quit drinking and smoking cigs (and dope) tomorrow all at once..IT would turn shite upside down.
Would love to see it!

Most exquisitely expounded by the former Speaker of the House when she made the statement that “Unemployment Benefits are Stimulative, the best stimulus the economy can get, because those people go out and spend that money”.

/I know, it’s not nice to make fun of dumb people, but hey, she puts herself out in the public eye.

Well spoken Scrumpy. Heaven save us from the GOP leadership and those GOP in the Senate who want to “get things done”. Because when they talk about “get things done”, it usually means caving to democrat demands with the promise to discuss GOP concerns “at a future date”. … and you can hear the GOP leadership clicking their heels and shouting, “Yea! They are going to discuss our concerns! Sometime! In the future! Yippee!”

AZfederalist on March 10, 2013 at 10:28 PM

One of the truly brilliant ideas that the Founding Fathers had was the manner in which Congress was divided. One of the primary reasons, was to actually prevent Congress from “getting thing done”. It was their belief that in any genuine emergency both the House and Senate would come together to protect the Nation, but that for ordinary business, it was best if they spent all of their time arguing rather than legislating.

lol Can. I am actually pretty boring and tame now a days.
A cig and a few beers now and then..is my wild side. :)
Was being factious.
Although, if people quit drinking and smoking cigs (and dope) tomorrow all at once..IT would turn shite upside down.
Would love to see it!

bazil9 on March 10, 2013 at 10:29 PM

bazil9:

Haha,yup,well,I too burn’t the candle at both ends,waaaaaay
back when!!

Here’s how it goes. Obama reaches out, makes ridiculous demands, blames Republicans when they say no, and then tells Americans he reached out and he was told no making himself look better. It’s a setup.

Me to coz! I wish I could get a movement together
and see it happen. I will be one hell of a bi$ch but it would be worth it! :) I am waiting on a call but wanted to ask-hows that E cig? I have heard mixed reviews.

Yeah, I caught that, too. … So much for the silly, transparent lie that lefties have a problem with cigarette smoke. They have a problem with cigarette smokers. It’s the old potheads versus cigarette smokers junk from the 60s when it was the parents who smoked cigarettes. These are all the same idiots who think there’s something black magical in tobacco that causes cancer but inhaling very heavily the smoke from joints (which is ten times heavier) and holding it in is just dandy. Friggin idiots. They protest to give out heroin needles but want to screw over anyone who likes cigarettes. Fvckers.

It’s hard to express how much I utterly detest these despicable, lying, lowlife scumbags .. though I do try :)

It’s a feral government. It broke free of the domesticating constraints of the Constitution and reverted to its wild nature. Sadly, when this happens, it can never be domesticated again. There is no solution but to start over.

it was best if they spent all of their time arguing rather than legislating.

Some … smart guys those Founding Father’s of ours.

SWalker on March 10, 2013 at 10:35 PM

Amen to that. I’ve been reading the Federalist Papers and plan to read the Anti-Federalist papers after that. These weren’t folks who just whipped something up out of thin air, they put significant brainpower behind the whole thing.

Then we went and screwed it up by allowing the feral government to directly tax people through the income tax and changed to popular election of Senators rather than state appointment of Senators, completely bollixing up the whole representative Republic construct.